Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Major risk for MI
Etiology: Narrowing of the coronary arteries limits the blood supply to the heart muscle causing angina (CP due to heart-muscle ischemia)
Diagnosis: Cardiac catheter
...
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Major risk for MI
Etiology: Narrowing of the coronary arteries limits the blood supply to the heart muscle causing angina (CP due to heart-muscle ischemia)
Diagnosis: Cardiac catheterization (not diagnosed in ED!)
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Heart attack
Etiology: Acute blockage of coronary arteries results in ischemia and infarct (death) of the heart muscle
Diagnosis: EKG (STEMI), elevated troponin (non-STEMI)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Fluid traffic jam
Etiology: Heart becomes enlarged, inefficient, and congested with excess fluid, leading to SOB and pedal edema
JVD is also a sign
Diagnosis: CXR, elevated BNP
A fib
Electrical abnormalities in the wiring of the heart causes the top of the heart (atria) to quiver abnormally
Diagnosed by EKG
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Blood clot becomes lodged in pulmonary artery and blocks blood flow to the lungs
Diagnosed by CTA Chest (CT Chest w/ IV contrast, i.e., highlights blood vessels) or VQ scan
D-dimer detects clots but not specifically diagnoses PE
Pneumonia (PNA)
Bacterial infection and inflammation of the lung
Diagnosed by CXR
Pneumothorax (PTX)
Collapsed lung due to trauma or spontaneous small rupture of the lung
Diagnosed by CXR
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Long-term damage to lung's alveoli (emphysema) along with inflammation and mucous production (chronic bronchitis)
Diagnosed by CXR and hx of smoking
Reactive airway disease (RAD)
Constricting of airway due to inflammation and muscular contraction of bronchioles
Diagnosed clinically
CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident)
stroke
Blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the brain resulting in permanent brain damage
Diagnosed clinically (focal neurological deficits), normal CT Head
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